Luke or axis FOR ME?

[aalexcp]

It may help to describe what is it that you would like to be able to do that you feel is limited with more traditional necks.

Is it fingering chords that require big stretches? Wrapping the thumb over the top of the neck to fret the lower strings? Speed? Leverage while bending strings with the thumb over the top of the neck?

Do you typically favor the thumb over the top of the neck playing position or the more "classical" thumb in the center of the back of the neck position?

All of these are things to consider.

I have a small palm, and when i want to reach my thumb over the neck, or do some stuff its a pain in the ass. I have a mim strat and when i try to sweep picking shapes that require the rolling technique (bending your fingers in a certain way to cover another string on the same fret) for more than two, three strings. I can't do it because something about my guitar makes it impossible, i have to play the first string that i will start the rolling on with my finger tip being more towards me so i dont play with my fingertip, i play with a lower part of the finger in order to be almost able to do it. if i do it with the fingertip i just can't because if i want to press a string i press the one that is higher first, so i have to press that string even harder in order to press the string i really want and it hurts.

So i dont know if if the problem is width or what, or if my hands are just not made for that thing lol. but i basically have small hands and maybe long or medium size fingers, very skinny.

and i also can't use the muting technique where you cover the higher string with your left hand with my guitar because i have to use to much of my finger tip because the width of the guitar is very big for me and i can't do some things.

 

[agt]

From what you have said, one thing that comes to my mind is that a different fretboard radius may help. I am thinking flatter might be better, but depending on how your finger joints work in terms of ability to flatten the last bone/fingertip, it may be the opposite for you.

I know you said you can't try the Luke or Axis, but if you can try other guitars that are known to have more round or more flat radii, that may help you narrow down which Music Man model might be better suited to your playing.

Having said that, ALL Music Man necks are extremely comfortable. If you have never played one in the flesh, words can't really describe how nice they are. And if you feel comfortable, a lot of techniques may come more easily.

 

[lukather101]

So, which neck is smaller?

For me its the Luke.

There's not much of it at all , but i wouldn't say it's less comfortable .

For me a guitar is about the whole package not just the feel of the neck , different necks don't bother me that much ,sometimes you have to compromise a bit to get the ideal guitar for you.

 

[OLPlayer]

I have extremely small hands......haven't played a Luke, but I own two Axis Super Sports, and in my humble opinion, the Axis has the best neck in the world. As far as the range of music that you play, the ASS will easily satisfy your needs. I also own two Strats, which are very versitile guitars, but, my ASS's have a much more versitile range of tones. The ASS will accommodate metal to blues to jazz and eveything in-between.

 

[azazael]

I have very big hands and the Axis is still the best neck I have ever played.
You should definetly get an axis, after the necks get played in and the way they resonate its just divine.

 

[aalexcp]

mmm.... if the axis neck is smaller i probably will get it as that is very important to me..

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I have probably the smallest hands in the forum. I had a luke and changed it for an axis ss. I just got on way better with the neck profile and the fret size of the axis. Check out the youtube link on my signature for a demo.

Good luck.

J

 

[walleye]

the luke is very versatile. i think the luke's single coils would trump any axis if it came down to jazz (which you mentioned)

however the luke falls flat in metal, its hard to get a good chunky rhythm tone in my opinion, the lukes a bit too bright and doesnt have the balls of a les paul or a JP
i havent tried an axis for metal specifically so i dont know far you can push it but i think, judging by the pickups and the basswood that you might be a better metal tone out of an axis.

some extra points of reference. the curvature of the fingerboard itself, the radius, is a big factor for me (maybe for you). axises.... axes have a more curved fingerboard and has the same curvature as an ibanez satriani guitar. lukes still have a large curvature, and is the same (or close to) that of most fender strats. if thats any help to you. i think the axis has the same radius as a silhouette perhaps